Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, February 22, 1991                   TAG: 9102220631
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

DISAPPOINTED IN BOTTLE-BILL DEFEAT

Having lived in two states with bottle laws, I am aware of the inconvenience such a bill poses for retail-store owners and consumers. Yet, at least in the interest of preserving the beauty of our roadsides, parks, and other public places, we should be willing to accept such a relatively minor incommodity.

During the past six years, I have lived in three of the most beautiful counties in Virginia: Pulaski, Montgomery and Bedford. I have been appalled and sickened by the quantity of garbage strewn along the country roads, and I am in no way able to conceive how some of the residents bring themselves to unthinkingly, or perhaps even gleefully, dispose of their beer cans and soft-drink bottles thus rather than use bags in their vehicles.

I'm surprised that many people who dispose of their refuse in a more responsible manner do not raise an outcry against those who don't. Virginia legislators also seem to feel that taking care of our scenery doesn't merit serious endeavor. In these days of flag-waving and public professions of patriotic pride, why don't we care what our country looks like? ALLEN ALLISON BEDFORD